Kamal’s dubya – there are better ones

In the recent Tamil blockbuster, Dasavatharam, Kamal plays 10 roles – one of which is George Bush. By now, you may have heard that the makeup job for most roles in that movie was sub-par. Probably, the worst was for the George Bush character (or maybe a toss-up with the patti). However, I do see some blog reviews giving him credit for playing a funny Dubya, i.e. being “true to the role”. Yes, he certainly did get the spirit of it, but it failed to impress me. The Dubya related jokes were okay – but in a way too easy, a bit too obvious. However, I think he failed to impress me mainly because I have seen some terrific Bush impersonators here in the US. After all wouldn’t Americans know their President better 🙂 ? Anyway, here are three of the best:

Frank CaliendoFrank Caliendo is the latest sensation among impersonators here in the US. He does an uncanny Bush – in my opinion, the best.

Frank Caliendo also does a very good Clinton (as seen in that clip), and also many sports personalities including John Madden, which I believe is his claim to fame. I used to look forward to his Madden impersonation (“Monday Night John”, and then “Sunday Night John”) on a local Chicago sports radio station .

Steve Bridges:Steve Bridges is probably the most popular Bush impressionist – he is even “Dubya approved” as he has appeared with George Bush himself at a “press conference”. He has also made appearances in several TV shows.

As you can see, unlike typical impersonators, he comes with a make-up job – much much better than Kamal’s. I am not sure he has any significant natural advantage in terms of similarity in physical traits here as he also “transforms” himself effectively to the other characters he does. With Bush, he certainly has got the voice with the accent, but in my opinion, Frank Caliendo’s pulls off the mannerisms better. Steve Bridges actually does a very very good Arnold (as seen in the second half of this clip), which in my opinion is easily his best character.

Frank C gets the nod for Madden, but Bridges for Dubya..No doubt about it..Bridges also does a mean mean Clinton..

Arun: I like Frank C better somehow.

speaking of make-up etc., in the scene where Bush is in the limo and says “what is NaCl” or something, his face was the size of the entire back seat..!!! WTF..Kamal’s guys have not heard of Photoshop or what?
Arun: 🙂 – I think they used a pirated version!

I haven’t seen the movie so I don’t know how valid my comments are. But from the clips that I’ve seen so far (thanks to YouTube), I think Kamal’s Dubya was fairly decent, esp. when you consider that this is a tamil actor (I stress the actor) with a pronounced tamil accent attempting to impersonate an American.

Granted that Frank Caliendo does Bush better than Bush himself – but that’s what he does. His claim to fame is the characters he impersonates.

I agree that Kamal’s Dubya didn’t cut it. The make-up was a better effort than most, but looked below par when one imagines what CGI can do. I sure hope Kamal grows up and puts in mature, rock solid performances in future movies. I’d hate to see him waste his reputation away with commercial, half-cooked flicks like Dasavatharam.

Just happened to see you blog, when searching for something in abheri…..i think I also feel that he should stop these prosthetic make overs (has done /not done enough) and get in to real performance based roles….his roles in Dasavatharam should be viewed in the context of that movie…the impersonators posted above probably can do only this and nothing more….I think people in US better off watch only US stuff alone….